Archives For Ponderings

The Challenge of the Wait

June 8, 2011 — 3 Comments

We (my family) find ourselves in a season of waiting, and, honestly, these days of waiting can be hard at times.

Image credit: omar_franc @ sxc.hu

Not because we don’t know the presence and provision of the Lord in this time, but because…

  • Not sure of what my/our purpose is in this time.
  • Wondering what I/we should be doing.
  • How should I spend my time?

So, we find ourselves wondering, hoping, longing, and sometimes even feeling discouraged.

Perhaps some of it too is the challenge of not having a place to call our own. We are eternally grateful for the hospitality and community of our friends (and hosts), but it isn’t the same.

Yet, we know that on the other side, God will give us exactly what He has for us and it will be just the right thing at the right time.

Recently, I was reminded of Psalm 40:1 by Dan Wilt, Learning Director of WorshipTraning.com.

“I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened.”

He wrote:

Waiting is a game most of us would rather not play. It is difficult for the human heart to find contentment in divine processes that take longer than we would prefer. Yet, somehow, it is in waiting on God that the worshipper’s faith is transformed from being “me-centered” to being “God-centered.” Can you welcome the wait? Allow your worship experience to be heightened as you linger in confident expectation that God will hear the cry of your heart today. When we’ve learned to wait, we’ve truly learned to worship.

True words. I don’t want to take matters into my own hands and accelerate what God has coming. I don’t want my worship to be tainted by discontent and discouragement.

So, we face the challenge of waiting and trust in what God has for us for His glory.

What are you waiting for? Share in the comments, and I’ll pray for you as you pray for us.

In Ponderings , ,
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[Creativity] Art or Idols?

June 6, 2011 — 1 Comment

As artists, there is a fine line between loving art and idolizing art. It’s easy to slip into idolizing creativity, art, and what we do without realizing it. Even in ministry.

Recently, I was challenged in this regard by a post from Gary Molander. Gary is founder and co-owner of media producer Floodgate Productions, and served as a pastor for many years before that. He blogs over at GaryMo.com. Before you start creating this week, take a moment and read what he wrote. Take a moment to reflect and do a heart check.

Then, create this week to communicate the truth of God for the glory of God.

Creating Art or Creating Idols?

The art we create can give us great joy.

The art we create can provide peace.

The art we create can demand our entire focus, over a long period of time.

The art we create can be frustrating.

The art we create can point toward something deeper, stir something uncomfortable, or introduce something unknown.

But there’s one thing our art cannot create. And we need to be extremely careful here. The art we create cannot save.  And when we ask our art to save us in any manner, we’ve created something more than art.

We’ve created an idol. Continue Reading…

In Creativity, Ponderings , ,
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Intentional Devotion, Intentional Ministry

May 24, 2011 — 1 Comment

Take a look at this short story about two brothers who make chocolate in small batches. Not something that is done very much.

I was struck by their devotion to and love for what they do. It was obvious they are passionate and committed to their work. I was impressed by their acknowledgement that it wasn’t always easy and that they didn’t always get along, but they worked it through each time.

I was also challenged. If they are wiling to put that much effort into making chocolate that will be consumed and then gone, why do we often give our “left overs” or average effort to the amazing spiritual things God allows us to be a part of? Think about the ministry you may are involved with, whether it’s preaching, teaching, worship leading, planning, serving, mentoring, discipling, praying, whatever. Do you give a strong level of devotion and commitment to it every time? Do you give your best in time, effort, and energy? Not because you have to, but because you want to? Or are we okay with “good enough” because it’s good enough?

I know there’s been times when I’ve given what could be called “routine” effort to worship planning and leading. Not because I don’t care, but because I’ve done it so much and, when life gets busy and stressful, it’s easy to go with what we know instead of engaging and creating fresh expressions of worship. Yet, each morning God grants new compassions and mercy to us. It’s never routine.

Seeing these guys’ commitment to their chocolate making reminds me of how every time I have the opportunity to lead people in worship, I have a great opportunity to engage, lead, and reflect the truth of God. It should never be routine or good enough. My commitment should be even greater since God is worth it.

What about you?

In Ponderings, Worship Leading , ,
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Can We Be Anything and Everything We Want to Be? Part 2

May 18, 2011 — Leave a comment

This is the continuation of this thought that began yesterday. If you haven’t yet, be sure to read Part 1.

Just because we want to be good at something, doesn’t mean we can. That isn’t a bad thing. God has created each of us unique. When we discover, acknowledge, and live in those strengths, it is wonderful. Rath writes that “each person has greater potential for success in specific areas, and the key to human development is building on who you already are.”

Most people think they know what they are good at. They are usually wrong… And yet, a person can perform only from strength.” - Business guru Peter Drucker

There is great truth in what Rath is writing. We spend more time trying to overcome our weaknesses, even choosing to spend most of our time in them, then we do on our strengths. And we wonder why people are burnt out, frustrated, disengaged, and apathetic about work and ministry. God has given each of us amazing gifts and talents. Why don’t we embrace them? Instead we desire to be like someone else, or we believe the lie that we can indeed do or be anything. And the anything we pick isn’t the thing we’re cut out to do.

Maybe the only thing that truly sets apart people who excel in their field is the fact that they’ve discovered their strengths and have chosen to live in them. Maybe it isn’t because they are smarter, more talented, or lucky. Maybe we don’t succeed at something because we aren’t supposed to be pursuing it. Continue Reading…

In Ponderings , ,
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Can We Be Anything and Everything We Want to Be? Part 1

May 17, 2011 — 1 Comment

I’ve recently started reading the book StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath.  It’s a book that I’ve seen recommended by others, especially a worship minister friend of mine named Jim (Twitter|Blog). I figured that since I’m currently engaged in the search for our next ministry postion, it would be a good time to use that resource. Why?

  • To provide greater clarity of who God has made me to be
  • To be better prepared to answer the inevitable “what are your strengths” and “what are your weaknesses” questions.

I’ve just begun reading, but already resonate with the author. His premise, based on years of interviews, research, and study is that it’s a much better idea to invest and spend time in our strengths than to constantly focus on our weaknesses.

One of the things he addresses is the classic phrase that is hammered into us as children and that shapes our approach to life.

You can be anything you want to be, if you just try hard enough. Continue Reading…

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Worth Reading…

May 14, 2011 — 2 Comments

I’ve been taming my Google Reader feeds lately, and wanted to pass along a few things that are worth reading.

Enjoy. Let me know if any are impactful for you.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope these links are worthwhile and encouraging to you.

In Ponderings, Random , ,
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Who Are You?

April 27, 2011 — Leave a comment

I was reminded recently that God is infinitely wise. He is unendingly creative. He created each of us just as He wanted to. There is no one like me. There is no one like you. And that isn’t a surprise to God. (You can read about it in Psalm 139)

So, if God has created each individual with a unique appearance, gifts, talents, personality, skills, and abilities, what does that mean?

Could it mean that instead of trying to duplicate or copy, each of us should instead be discerning and living in the fullness of who God is making us to be in Christ?

What do I mean? Continue Reading…

In Ponderings ,
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